Class of '54
April 2004

By now you should have received your registration materials and information book from the Alumni Office about our Big Golden. It looks to be a fine turnout from early indications.

John Chell, Betty Lundgren Schlotthauer and I were on campus in early March to work with the Alumni Office, chaplains and organist on details for the event. We were thrilled to hear the hymn played at 9:50 a.m. calling the community to chapel, the pealing of the bells just before the 10:00 service. (It also plays at 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day as well as for all special occasions such as President Jim Peterson's ’64 investiture, graduation, or, of course, our service of dedication on May 28 at 3:30 p.m.

Since then we have a number of you, in one way or another, in reunion events. Here, subject to a revision here and there, is the program to date:

George Skogg will direct all of us who have ever sung a note as well as those who haven't in a hymn at the memorial service, "Children of the Heavenly Father" (Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara in our native tongue). This is not only for those who "sang under Casselman." It is a time for "wannabes" as well. Come early to rehearse.

3:00 Playing Of The Carillon And Explanation Of Its History By David Fienen, College Organist: Christ Chapel

Silent Auction

Now for some ways to enrich the weekend for yourself and for all who attend:

1. OWN A CLASSMATE'S ART. Roger Hanson, who has just had an exhibit of his paintings at Nina's in St. Paul, has made a swell offer. He will contribute one of his paintings to the Carillon Fund to be sold by silent auction during our class dinner on Friday 28 May. That led to two more gifts from classmates: a quilt by Betty Lindstrand Abrahamson and a watercolor by Jim Anderson.

NOW TO HEAR FROM OTHERS OF YOU WHO MAY HAVE BECOME INVOLVED IN THE ARTS TO CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING YOU HAVE DONE YOURSELF. PLEASE LET ROGER HANSON (320-587-3970) KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU HAVE A WORK YOU WOULD BRING TO THE SILENT AUCTION. Perhaps you have become a weaver, potter, printmaker, quilter. Here's a way to help the Carillon Fund. And for the rest of us, here's a way to own something by a classmate. This is likely the College's first 50th reunion art auction!

2. FIGURE TO STAY THROUGH THE SATURDAY LUNCHEON FOR OUR CLASS AND THE EVENING ALL-COLLEGE ALUMNI DINNER. THE DINNER GIVES A GREAT PICTURE OF TODAY'S GUSTAVUS. THE GRADUATES OF 2004 WILL BE SPECIAL GUESTS, JUST AS WE WERE IN 1954 (when we likely gave the returning class of 1904 about the same amount of thought which we will receive from the class of 2004!) WE'LL HAVE OUR OWN TABLE AND BE RECOGNIZED BY THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT. A SPEAKER FROM THE CLASS, NORMAN NERDMORE, WILL DO HIS BEST TO CAPTURE A BIT OF OUR TIMES ON THE HILL. IT IS JUST POSSIBLE THAT THE CLASS OF 2004 WILL NOT LISTEN. THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO BE THERE!

3. PUT THE CARILLON AND ITS ENDOWMENT OVER THE TOP. We're close, 79.5914% (heck, call it 80) of the way to our $140,000 goal. Our Schulmerich Celebration Carillon is installed, playing and pealing each day at 8:00 a.m., 9:50 a.m. (to call people to chapel) and 6:00 p.m. The money we need now doesn't have to be in cash; it can be a deferred gift for it will be for the instrument's endowment, an assurance of both its proper maintenance and that there will be concerts and clinics for visiting choirs forever.

Here is the list to date of the 93 of you who are contributors, 11 of you joining the list in the last few weeks. If you have not already done so, please send your pledge or gift to the College's Advancement Office, ideally before we gather for the reunion. Remember that you can pledge now, deferring the transfer of assets in a way most beneficial to you. Contact Jim Isaak at 1-866-487-3863 about ways to do that.

Dave Gillis, retired from the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel since 1990 writes, "A couple of my grandchildren doubt that I ever went to work." Some of his photos can be viewed on http://myweb.core.com/myweb/photos. Last Christmas the Wisconsin Wood Workers Guild in which he is an active member made 1200 wood toys for women's shelters in southeastern Wisconsin.

Rollie Herbst is living in Loretto, a choir member in Delano, caregiver for his wife, Donna.

Waldo Lindberg says, "We live at the Pacific Ocean with a territorial view in southwestern Washington state, 14 miles north of the Columbia River's Lewis & Clark destination... We welcome visits..." (Ed. note, careful what you promise, Waldo!)

Glen Lovestrand has served as organist and choir director at three churches in his home area for the past 33 years, SS. Peter and Paul in Ivanhoe and Bethany Elim in Ivanhoe and St. John Cantius in Wilno. (Ed. note: Ivanhoe and Wilno were settled by Poles who immigrated to Lincoln County in southwestern Minnesota; the two Roman Catholic churches in which Glen plays are on many lists of the state's most spectacular rural edifices.)

Carole Duffy Miller, a new member of the carillon bells donor group with her memorial to Loni Nelson Lindholm, writes, "My husband and I are song leaders at our church...we attend many jazz festivals here in California and in Europe. I have fond memories of my still dear friends I met at Wahlstrom Hall..."

John Sandquist has organized an "Understanding Islam" seminar in his Northfield church in conjunction with Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges. About 90 people attend each session. He is also serving as a substitute teacher in the middle school there.

Before ending this, an important Help Wanted ad: Think about volunteering to Randall Stuckey ’83, Alumni Director, to be our next class agent. That job has been filled by many of us over the years, Rog Carlson, John Chell, Dianne Anglemyer Clinton, Jean Kirkvold Emholtz, Rollie Herbst, Forrest Chaffee, Jean (Lunnis) and Dave Johnson, Joyce Lindell Lund, and John Sandquist. Now it's someone else's turn! Each fall the college hosts the class agents for an informational session, a good time to visit with other agents as well as to collect information.

Until Friday 28 May when we gather to register at the Campus Center Information Desk,

Dave Johnson

1954 Class Agent

Campus News:

President Peterson inaugurated

Dr. James Peterson ’64 was inaugurated during a ceremony in Christ Chapel on Friday, April 16. Other inaugural events scheduled April 15-18, included a symposium featuring Rev. Dr. Martin Marty, tree dedication, Gustavus Association of Congregations meeting, G.I.V.E. community service day in St. Peter, music concert, art exhibition, and an alumni reception preceding the Nobel Symphony Concert at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

50th Anniversary Alumni Fund Closes May 31

The 2004 Alumni Fund will close May 31 with a goal of 50 percent alumni participation. Thanks to everyone who has already participated with a gift. If you haven’t given, please think about sending a gift along with your news in the enclosed gold envelope. Gustavus alumni have a long tradition of strong alumni participation. Help maintain our national ranking by participating in the 50th anniversary year of the Alumni Fund.

Winter sports summary

Women’s basketball finished third in the MIAC and advanced to the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs. Men’s basketball won the MIAC regular season and playoff championship titles before losing to eventual national champion UW-Stevens Point in the NCAA national tournament. Men’s hockey posted a third-place finish in the regular season and advanced to the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs. Women’s hockey finished second in regular-season MIAC play, but won the post-season tournament and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Men’s swimming won its third consecutive MIAC championship and completed their season by finishing ninth at the NCAA championships. Women’s swimming won the MIAC championship and completed their season by finishing 13th at the NCAA championships. Men’s Nordic skiing won its first-ever MIAC championship and finished fourth at the NCAA Central Region meet. Women’s Nordic skiing claimed their third consecutive MIAC title and completed their season with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Central Region meet. Gymnastics posted a 6–1 dual meet record and a second-place finish at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) West Regional. The women’s indoor track and field team finished second and the men fifth at the MIAC championships.

Did you know …

●Nearly 80% of Gustavus students graduate in four years, compared with 56% of students from other Minnesota private colleges; the national average is 17%.

●There are seven choral ensembles and 23 instrumental ensembles, two jazz, four woodwind and three brass ensembles.

●More than 40 percent of Gustavus students volunteer through the Gustavus community service center on a regular basis.

●For student safety, the campus is well-lit, there is 24-hour Safety and Security patrol and escort service, residence halls are locked 24 hours a day, and there are blue light emergency phones throughout campus linked directly to Safety and Security.

●And looking back -- during the college’s early years, students were awakened by a bell at 5:45 a.m. and all lights had to be out by 10:30 p.m.